Delivery machine for blanks and the like



Feb. 24, 1942. L 5, LA BOMBARD 2,274,075

DELIVER! MACHINE FOR BLANKS AND THE LIKE Filed May 5, 1939 4Sheets-Sheet l Lara E lafiombard I NV EN TOR.

A TTORNE Y.

L. E. LA BOMBARD 2,274,075

DELIVERY MACHINE FOR BLANKS AND THE LIKE Filed May 5, 1959 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 24, 1942.

L n E.La5om [pa/ i INVENTOR ATTORNEY DELIVERY MACHINE FOR BLANK S ANDTHE LIKE Filed May 3, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 L 60/2 Z. L aBamZmrd'INVENTOR ATTORNEY Feb. 24, 1942 LA BOMBARD 2,274,075

DELIVERY MACHINE FOR BLANKS AND THE LIKE Filed May 3, 1939 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Leon 5 Ldfiomara INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 24,1-942 DELIVERY MACHINE FOR BLANKS AND THE LIKE LeonE, La Bombard,Nashua, N. 11., assignor to The International Paper Box Machine Company,Nashua, N. 11., a corporation of New Hampshire Application May 3, 1939,Serial No. 271,479

9 Claims.

This invention relates to delivery machines for blanks and the like andmore particularly to machines of the type commonly known'a", stackers.

In paper converting machines for carrying out operations such asfolding, gluing and the like on paperboard blanks, it is often desiredto assemble individual blanks into an overlapping series or stack. Whilesuch blanks often comprise plain unfolded paperboard sheets, more oftenthe blanks are provided with cuts, tabs, openings, flaps, folds or otherconstructional features which require special precautions in stacking toprevent jamming, improper stacking, or damage to the blanks. In order toprevent such occurrences, it is desirable in certaincases to deliversucceeding blanks under the preceding blanks or understack.

The blanks which are to be stacked often have been folded or glued andit is desirable that the folded portions of the blank be firmly pressedtogether before the blanks are placed in stacked relation. Furthermore,the blanks often have been printed and it is necessary to observecertain precautions to prevent marring of the blanks.

In accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention,the blanks are advanced in non-overlapped or individualized relation bya relatively fast-moving, feeding conveyor of suitable constructionincluding, for example, cooperating belts, and are delivered to arelatively slow-moving, receiving conveyor of suitable construction uponwhich the blanks are arranged in overlapped or stacked relation. Betweenthe conveyors is provided a guide roll which serves both to support therearward end of the stack and to direct the leading edge of eachsucceeding blank under the trailing edge of the blank preceding it,without substantial friction. Preferably, the guide roll is rotated atthe surface speed of the blank which is in contact therewith in order tofacilitate stacking and to prevent marring the blank, particularly wherethe blank has been printed. Also disposed between the conveyors is oneor more pairs of breaker rolls which firmly press together any foldedportions and prevent such folded portions from opening when the blankshave been delivered onto the receiving conveyor.

The several portions of the apparatus are adjustable in order to permita wide range of adjustment so that the machine iscapable of operatingupon blanks of wide variation in lengths and also is capable of stackingthe blanks with widely varying degrees of overlap.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a simple andeffective stacker for under stacking blanks, which is capable ofadjustment for stacking blanks of widely varying sizes and with varyingdegrees of lap.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a stackercapable of exerting positive control over the movement of the blankswithout marring or damaging the blanks.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a stackercapable of exerting a concentrated, adjustable pressure upon the blanksfor the purpose of compressing any folded'portions thereof prior todelivery into stacked condition.

Various other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent.from the following particular description and from an inspection of theaccompanying drawings.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthis invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims appendedhereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and themanner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood byreferring to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings forming a part hereof, in which Fig. 1 is afragmentary, longitudinal sectional view, partially diagrammatic, of theprincipal portions of a stacker constructed in accordance with thepresent invention} Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view ofa portion of the stacker shown in'Fig. l and illustrating particularlythe delivery of the blanks from the faster moving conveyor to the slowermoving conveyor;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a detail of construction;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating particularly thedriving means for the delivery mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional viewillus trating the arrangement ofthe-rolls forming a portion of the delivery mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary and somewhat dia- 2 grammatic view illustratinga constructional detail; and

Figs. 7. 8 and 9 are fragmentary cross-sectional views, partiallydiagrammatic, illustrating the operation of the machine in threedifferent positions of adjustment respectively.

In the following description and in' the claims, various details will beidentified by specific names for convenience, but they are intended tobe as generic in their application as the art will permit. Likereference characters denote like parts in the several figures of thedrawings.

Referring now particularly to Fig. l, the stacker comprises a feedingconveyor a delivery mechanism 2, and a receiving conveyor 3. Inasmuch asthe feeding conveyor. I may be of any suitable construction, except forthe portions adjacent the delivery mechanism, only the latter portion ofthis conveyor is illustrated.

The feeding conveyor I (Figs. 1 and 2) preferably comprises cooperatingbelts 5 and 6 and preferably these members each are constituted by aplurality of spaced and generally parallel belts, as illustratedparticularly in Fig. 2. The lower belts 5 are trained over pulleys 1carried on a shaft 8 journaled in a suitable frame 9.

The upper belts 6 are similarly trained over pulleys I!) carried on ashaft II but this shaft is journaled in floating bearings l2 (one ofwhich is illustrated). The floating bearings l2 are supported forlimited vertical movement on posts l3 and are urged downwardly bysprings |4 bearing against adjustable stops |5. The upper pulleys l0,therefore, are spring pressed downwardly to urge the upper belts 6 intocontact with the lower belts 5 but are permitted to ride upwardly toallow the passage of blanks.

Disposed adjacent the delivery end of the feeding conveyor l are aplurality of pairs of pressure or breaker rolls, 20, 30, 2|, 3|, thepurpose of which will hereinafter appear. While only a single pair ofsuch rolls may be used, it is usually preferable to provide at least twosuch pairs. The lower breaker rolls 20 and 2| are provided with journalportions 22 and 23 mounted in fixed bearings 24, 25.

At this point it should be noted that, whereas the various rolls hereindisclosed are described as having journal portions, such rolls may beconstituted by suitable roll portions carried on separate shafts or byrolls having separate journal portions secured thereto.

The lower breaker rolls 20 and 2| carry gears 26 and 21 (see Fig. 4)which mesh with an intermediate gear 28 for driving the rolls 20, 2| ashereinafter described.

The upper breaker rolls 30 and 3| are provided with journal portions 32and 33 mounted in floating bearings 34 and 35, and carry gears 36 and 31which mesh respectively with gears 26 and 21, whereby all of the breakerrolls are driven at the same peripheral speed.

The gear train for the breaker rolls is driven from a gear I6 carried ona shaft 8 and through an intermediate gear |1 carried on a shaft l8,which gear |1 meshes with the gear 26. A gear |6a is provided whichmeshes with the gear I6 so that the pulleys 1 and HI are driven at thesame speed.

A driving motor I9 is provided and is connected by a suitable drive,such as a belt 29, to a driving pulley 39 fixed on the shaft8. Thus thedriving motor i9 is operative to drive the faster moving conveyor andall of the breaker rolls.

Mounted adjacent the forward pair of breaker rolls 2| and 3| aredelivery rolls 40 and preferably of somewhat less diameter than thebreaker rolls. The delivery roll 40 has journal portions 4| mounted insuitable bearings (not shown) carried by the frame 9 and carries a gear42 driven from the gear 21 by an intermediate gear 43 carried on a shaft44. The upper delivery roll 45 is provided with journal portions 41supported in floating bearings 45a (see Fig. 3) and carries a gear 46meshing with the gear 42 and driven thereby.

It will be noted that the gear train illustrated particularly in Fig. 2is such that the surface or peripheral speed of all of the rolls 20, 30,2|, 3|, 40 and 45 is the same. Also, the surface or peripheral speed ofthese rolls is substantially equal to the speed of the conveyor belts 5and 6.

A third delivery roll (hereinafter designated as the terminal deliveryroll" or "transfer roll") is disposed rearwardly of the delivery rolls46 and 45 and is provided with a journal portion 6| journalled inbrackets 62, adjustably mounted on a plurality of racks 63 (see Figs. 2and 5). Each of. the racks 63 is carried by a bracket 64 having abearing portion 65 mounted on the corresponding journal portion 4| ofthe roll 40. The bracket 64 is provided with an arm portion 66, which isheld in position by aset screw 61, whereby the angular position of thebracket 64 about the journal 4| can be adjusted and the bracket fixed inany one of a number of different angular positions.

A pinion 68, which meshes with the rack 63, is carried on a shaft 69journalled in the bracket 62. The shaft 69 carries a sprocket 10 overwhich is trained a sprocket chain 1| which also is trained at its upperend over a sprocket 12 carried on a shaft 13. The shaft 13 connects thesprocket chains at the two sides of the machine for simultaneousoperation and a handle 14 is provided for rotating the shaft 13.

It will be seen from the foregoing that the structure just describedprovides for both vertical and horizontal adjustment of the terminaldelivery roll 60. The terminal delivery roll 60 can be swung about theaxis of rotation of the lowerdelivery roll 40, by suitable angular ad--justment of the along the rack handle 14. By

bracket 64 and can be adjusted 63 by suitable actuation of the employingone or both of these adjustments, any desired vertical or horizontaladjustment can be made throughout the limits imposed by the constructionof the machine.

The terminal delivery roll 60 is driven from the shaft 8 by a drivemechanism 9| comprising a pulley 8| mounted on the shaft 8, and a belt82 trained around the pulley 8| and around a pulley 88 carried on thejournal portion 6| of the roll 66. Suitable driving tension ismaintained on the belt 8| by a tension device 92 which includes pulleys83 and 84 rotatably carried at the ends of an arm 85 which is pivoted ona shaft 81 supported by a bracket 86. A coil spring 88 has one vendoperatively connected to a fixed collar 89 and the other end operativelyconnected'to the arm 85 for rocking the rection (as viewed in Fig. l).The purpose and operation of the tension device is explained more fullyhereinafter.

The receiving conveyor 3 is disposed adjacent the delivery mechanism 2and comprises a lower latter in a clockwise dimounted on the frame 9.Fixedly connected to.

the post I04 is a pinion I09 meshing with a helical gear IIO carried ona shaft III extending through a bracket II2 which is rigid with thepost, I04. The shaft III extends to a similar jack mechanism (not shown)at the other side of the machine, and is provided with a handle II3 forturning the same. The jack mechanism is pivoted about the shaft I01 andthe bearing I03 can be elevated or depressed by means of the jackmechanism.

The upper run of the. lower belt I is supported by a table II5 carriedon a pair of side rails II 6, H6 which extend forwardly to and arepivotally mounted on a cross member III supported by a frame H8. Theside rails H6, H6 and the members which connect them form a rigidsupport adapted to pivot as a unit about the cross member In. The lowerbelt I00 is trained around aforward roll I carried on a shaft I2I., andidler rolls I22 and I23, carried on shafts I24 and I25, respectively,are provided for tensioning the lower belt I00.

A suitable upper pressure unit 99 is provided and is disposed incooperative relation with the lower belt I00. The pressure unit includesa plurality of belts I29, respectively, trained around pulleys I carriedon a shaft I3I extending between side members I32 which are pivotallysupported on a shaft I33 mounted in side frames I34. The side frames I34are slidably mounted on the .side rails II6 by rollers I36 mounted onstud shafts I attached to the side frames I34.

At their forward ends, the upper belts I29 are trained around pulleysI40 rotatably carried by frames I43. The frames I43 are pivoted at theirrearward ends about a shaft I46 journaled in and connecting upstandingarm portions I49 of the side members I32, and are free to float at theirforward ends. In order to suspend the forward ends of the frame I43 whenit is desired to adjust them laterally, they are pivotally connected -atI44 to a link I which in turn is pivotally rollers I50 (only some ofwhich are shown) which bear-against the upper surface of the lower runof the corresponding upper belt I29 and serve to press the belt intocooperative relation with the lower belt I00, as will be more fullyexplained hereinafter. Each roller I50 is mounted on a stud I5I carriedby a weight I52 vertically slidable with respect to the frame memberI43. For the purpose of guiding the weights I52, each of the weights isprovided with a way I53 which is received over a guide stud I54 fixed onthe frame member I43.

From'the foregoing, it will be seen that the frames I49 are free to rockabout the pivot I33, to permit the belts I29 to ride upwardly whenblanks are inserted between the belts I29 and the belt I00. Since theframes I43 are free to;

shafts I4 I journaled in brackets I42 carried on ently capable ofvertical movement. Thus, the pressure unit 99 will permit the passage ofblanks and will apply pressure thereto to maintain the blanks inproperly stacked condition.

The belts I29 and belt I00 of the receiving conveyor 3 are suitablydriven as by a motor I60 connected to a variable speed device I600 whichdrives a chain I6I trained over a sprocket I62 carried on a shaft I63; Apinion I64 is carried on a shaft I63 and meshes with a gear I65 carriedon the\ shaft I2I. .,A chain I66 is trained around a sprocket (notshown) carried on the shaft I2I and around a sprocket I61 carried on ashaft I68 supported by the side rails H6. The

chain I66 is also trained around one portion of a double sprocket I68carried on the shaft I33 and around an idler sprocket I69 carried on ashaft I10 journaled in the side members I34, which sprocket I69maintains the chain I66 in driving engagement with the sprocket I68.Trained around the other portion of the double sprocket I66 is a chainIII which is also trained around a sprocket (not shown) secured to theshaft I3I.

From the foregoing it will be. seen that upon energization of the motorI60, the gear I65 is driven and rotates the shaft I21 and to effecttraveling movement of the lower belt I00. At the same time the chain I66drives the sprocket I68 to cause the chain III to drive the shaft I3I.This effects traveling movement of the upper belts I29. The variousmembers are so designed and connected that both upper and lower belts ofthe slower moving conveyor 3 are driven at the same surface speed.

At this point it should be noted that the drive (not shown) for thefeeding conveyor I and the drive for the receiving conveyor 3, are eachindependently adjustable so that not only is it possible to adjust thespeed passage of the blanks through the machine, but also the relativespeeds of the conveyors can be changed as desired.

The structure illustrated in Fig. 1 and shown diagrammatically in Figs.'7, 8 and 9, can be adjusted to operate upon blanks of various lengthsand to provide a greater or lesser amount of lap between adjacentblanks, so as to provide either a close stack or an open stack, as maybe desired. These adjustments can be accomplished by suitablepositioning of the terminal delivery roll 60 which is adjustable bothvertically and horizontally or adjustment of the end of the lower beltI00, which is also adjustable vertically or horizontally, or byadjustment of the speed of it is desirable that the roll 60 be adjustedto a position relatively close to the roll 40.

Certain different conditions of adjustment are illustrateddiagrammatically in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 respectively. In Fig. 7 it will benoted that the top of the terminal delivery roll 60 is substantiallylevel with the line of travel of the blanks through the breaker rollsand the upper run of the lower belt I00 is substantially below thislevel float at their forward ends, they tend to'maintain the upper beltsI29 against the lower belt The operation of the stacker adjusted asillustrated in Fig. 7, is as follows::

Blanks b are fed successively, in spaced out condition, to the feedingconveyor I at the rear end of the machine and are advanced by thecooperating belts 5 and 6. The blanks b are Wpelivered successively tothepaired breaker rolls 20, 30, 2| and 3| and pass between these rolls.Owing to the resilient pressure exerted upon the upper rolls and 3| theblank b is squeezed between the rolls and the folded, or glued andfolded portions are pressed together and the possibility of the blanksopening or unfolding after they pass from the delivery mechanism therebyis minimized.

The leading blank then passes through the delivery rolls 40 and and issupported by the terminal delivery roll 60 until the trailing end isdischarged from between the delivery rolls v and 45. The blank b thenrocks downwardly and the leading edge is deposited on thesupportingsurface provided by the projecting portion of the lower apron I00, thetrailing end of the blank being supported by the roll 60 so that theblank b is disposed in tilted position.

Owing to the relatively slower rate of travel of the belt I00, the lowerend of the blank b is advanced slowly and a succeeding blank b isadvanced through the breaker rolls 20, 30, 2| and- 3| and delivery rolls40 and 45 before the trailing end of the preceding blankis carried offthe terminal delivery roll 60. The leading end of the succeeding blankis then inserted between v the roll 60 and the trailing end of thepreceding blank and is advanced into a position partially underlying thepreceding blank until the leading end of the second blank rests upon theapron I00. The second blank thus serves to support the trailing end ofthe preceding blank and is itself supported by the roll 60 until a thirdblank is advanced and inserted under the second blank.

This operation is repeated and the leading blanks are advanced slowly bythe belt I00 until the leading edge of the foremost blank enters the nipof the belts I00 and I29. Since these belts are traveling atsubstantially the same speed, the blanks b are advanced in the grip ofthese belts and remain in the lapped or stacked condition.

The tension device 92 which tensions the driving belt 82 for theterminal delivery roll 60 is adjusted to apply a predetermined tensionon the belt 82. This tension is so selected that the surface speed ofthe delivery roll 60 is the same as the surface speed of that blank incontact withthis roll. Thus, when a blank b is advanced by the deliveryrolls 40 and 45 the roll 60 is rotated at the surface speed of thisblank, and hence, the blank b is assisted into the nip formed betweenthe terminal delivery roll 60 and the preceding blank which bears uponthe roll 60 (as illustrated in Fig. 7).

Immediately after the blank has been inserted between the .roll 60 andthe preceding blank, and has been advanced free of the rolls 40and 45,the stack of blanks and the lower belt I00 of the receiving conveyor 3bear upon the roll 00 with sufiicient force to cause the belt 82 to slipon the driving pulley 80 and thus the roll 00 attains a surface speed ofthe advancing stack of blanks.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the roll 60 is rotated slowlyand at the surface speed of the stacker blanks when the rearmost blankof the stack is in direct contact with the roll .50. On the other hand,when the blank which is under the influence of the delivery rolls 40 and45, is being advanced in contact with the roll at the surface speed ofthe delivery rolls,

. as well as folded the roll is rotated at the surface speed of the lastmentioned blank.

Thus, the blanks are deposited at the rear of the stack with littlefriction. Also, the possibility of marring the blank by reason ofrelative movement between the roll and blank is substantiallyeliminated.

It will be noted that, as the stack of blanks enters the nip between thebelts I00 and I29, the rearward ends of the belts I29 are permitted torock upwardly to permit entry of the stack of blanks. The stacked blanksare carried along between the belts I 00 and I29 and the blanks,portions thereof, are pressed firmly together by the action of theweighted rollers I50.

The blanks are advanced from between the upper and lower belt of thereceiving conveyor 3 and are discharged therefrom in any suitable mannerand collected in lapped condition or they may be collected by a similaraccumulator (not shown) in fully lapped condition in the form of astraight pile or stack.

As stated hereinbefore, the apparatus is capable of adjustment foroperating upon blanks of various lengths and for stacking the blankswith varying degrees of overlap. In Fig.8, the apparatus is illustratedas adjusted for stacking blanks which are somewhat shorter than theblanks shown in Fig. 7, and the blanks are stacked with somewhat greateroverlap. It will be noted that the terminal delivery roll 60 is elevatedsomewhat above the level of feed of the feeding conveyor and that thisroll is disposed somewhat closer to the belt I00. Also, the receivingconveyor 3 is operated at a somewhat slower speed relative to thefeeding conveyor. It will be noted; therefore, that the blanks arestacked at a somewhat more obtuse angle than the blanks illustrated inFig.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 9, it will be seen that the apparatusis adjusted to stack longer blanks with a substantially lesser degree ofoverlap. In the position of adjustment illustrated in Fig. '9, the lowerbelt I00 is elevated so that it is substantially on a level with thefeeding level of the blanks through the receiving conveyor I. Theterminal delivery roll 60 is also disposed at such a level that itsupper surface is substantially at the same level as the upper run of thelower belt I00. It will be seen that, in this particular adjustment ofthe apparatus, the terminal delivery roll 60 does not serve to supportthe rearward end of the last blank of the stack, but serves merely toguide the leading end of the preceding blank in position between thelast blank of the stack and the lower belt I00.

Various other adjustments may be made as will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art in order to permit the machine to handle blanks ofvarious lengths and to stack the blanks with difi'erent degrees ofoverlap.

In making certain of the adjustments herein described, it is necessaryto adjust the position of the terminal delivery roll 60. As previouslyexplained, the roll 60 is journaled in brackets 62 which are adjustablein a fore-and-aft direction on the racks 63 by manipulation of thehandle I4. The racks 63 are in turn pivotally carried on the journals4I. Thus, the roll 60 can be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly and can beadjusted angularly about the journals M as a pivot. The employment ofthe drive mechanism 9I renders, it possible to make these adjustmentsand the only adjustment necessary on the drive mechanism is theadjustment of the tension applied to the belt 82 by the tension device92.

In handling certain classes of work, it is necessary to apply somewhatmore friction on the blanks than is obtainable from the use of polishedmetal rolls. In such cases, it is usually desirable to substitute rubbercovered rolls for.

either theroll B or the roll 40 or both. Thus, a somewhat higherfriction is applied to the blanks by the delivery mechanism and it ispossible to overcome any friction tending to oppose the entry of theblanks between the stack and the terminal delivery roll 60.

It will be understood that the belts and 6 of the feeding conveyor I andtheir pulleys l and I0 and the upper belts I29 of the receiving conveyor3, as well as the associated pulleys I30 and H0 and roller-carryingframes I43 can be laterally adjusted to accommodate blanks of variouss1zes.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the present invention providesa stacker mechanism which is relatively simple in construction, which isreliablein operation and which is capable of understacking withoutjamming or injury to the blanks.

While certain novel features of the invention have been disclosedherein, and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understoodthat various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A stacker for blanks and the like comprising, a first conveyor foradvancing blanks in spaced relation, a slower moving second conveyor forreceiving blanks from said first conveyor, and means between saidconveyors for inserting the leading edge of each succeeding blank underthe trailing edge of the preceding blank, said last means including atransfer roll adapted to engage a blank passing from the first conveyorto the second conveyor, and means active during engagement of the blankwith said conveyors respectively for driving said roll at a speedcorresponding to the speed of the conveyor with which the blank is inengagement.

2. A stacker for blanks and the like comprising, a feeding conveyor, aslower movingv receiving conveyor, a surface disposed between saidconveyors for guiding blanks onto said second conveyor, and means activeduring engagement between said surface and a blank traveling under theinfluence of said feeding conveyor for driving said surface at the speedof said feeding conveyor and active when said blank is traveling underthe influence of said receiving conveyor for driving said surface at thespeed of said receiving conveyor.

- a support mounting said bracket for translationa1 adjustment, meansmounting said support for angular adjustment, and means for driving saidroll.

4. Apparatus for feeding blanks and the like comprising, a relativelyfast moving first'con= veyor for advancing blanks in spaced relation, arelatively slow moving second conveyor for receiving blanks from saidfirst conveyor, and means between said conveyors for inserting theleading end of each blank under the trailing end of the preceding blank,said last means including a moving surface adapted to engage a blankpassing between the conveyors, and means including a friction drive fordriving said surface substantially at the speed of the respectiveconveyor with which the blank is engaged.

5. A stacker for blanks and the like comprising, a feeding conveyor foradvancing blanks in spaced out relation, a receiving conveyor forreceiving blanks from said feeding conveyor, and means drivenapproximately at the speed of said first conveyor for guiding saidblanks into stacked relation on said receiving conveyor and retardedduring engagement of a blank simultaneously with said last means andsaid receiving conveyor.

6. A stacker for blanks and the like comprising, a feeding conveyor foradvancing blanks in spaced out relation, a receiving conveyor forreceiving blanks from said feeding conveyor, and means intermediate saidconveyors and frictionally synchronized with one of said conveyors forguiding said blanks into lapped relation on said receiving conveyor,

7. A stacker for blanks and the like including, a first conveyor adaptedto feed blanks in nonoverlapped relation, a second and slower movingconveyor for feeding blanks in overlapped relation, and means forguiding blanks from said first conveyor to said second conveyorincluding a roll, and slippable drive means for said roll active todrive said roll normally at the speed of said first conveyor and adaptedto slip when a blank engaged with said roll is engaged by said secondconveyor and to drive said roll at a slower than normal speed.

8. Apparatus for stacking blanks and the like comprising a rigidlymounted, relatively fast moving first conveyor, a transfer roll mountedfor vertical and horizontal adjustment adjacent the delivery end of saidfirst conveyor, and a relatively slow moving second conveyor having itsdischarge end rigidly mounted, and means including a pivotally mountedJack for adiustably supporting the receiving end of said secondconveyor.

9. Apparatus for stacking paperboardbianks and the like comprising arelatively fast moving feeding conveyor and a relatively slow movingreceiving conveyor for receiving blanks from said feeding conveyor,means for vertically adjusting the receiving end of said receivingconveyor, and means between said conveyors for inserting the the leadingedge of each succeeding blank under the trailing edge of the precedingblank, said last means including a transfer roll adapted to engage andsupport a blank' passing from the feeding conveyor to the receivingconveyor, means for driving said transfer roll, and means mounting saidtransfer roll for vertical and horizontal adjustment.

LEON E. LA BOMBARD.

